“Her three children and four grandchildren are devasted. She will leave a great hole not only within her family but also within her community. Hilda was a vivacious, vibrant, kind, generous, beautiful soul. She was an amazing force to contend with – full of life, energy and light. She was the first to offer help, guidance and support; whether you were a friend or a stranger.

“She will be enormously missed by her grandchildren. When in their company she connected as a child with them. She would paint, play tag, play football and always find ways to have fun.

“She and her husband John, were great conservationists and philanthropists. They helped and supported many charities in the UK and abroad. They founded and ran the Pacuare Turtle Reserve in Costa Rica and won a beautiful acknowledgment from the National Geographic’s as Travelers of the year – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/travelers-of-the-year-2013/john-and-hilda-denham/